Automatic air-pump



(No Mode-1.)' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. MOREHBAD.

AUTOMATIC AIR PUMP. No. 538,267. Patented Apr. 30, 1895.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

` J.M0REHEAD.

AUTOMATIC AIR PUMP. No. 538,267. `Pa,tentedApr.s0,1895.

4sumen STATES ATENT muon.

JOHN MOREHEAD, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC AIR-PUMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,267, dated April30, 1895.

Application filed September 4, 1894. Serial No. 522,027. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

. Be it known that I, JOHN MOREHEAD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have inventedcertain new and usefullmprovements in Automatic Air-Pumps; and I declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichitappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a novel automatic air pump orair compressor of simple and economical construction and of superioreciencyin its operation, the device being adapted for a variety of uses,as a beer pump for example, or to compress air in a storage tank, myinvention embracing all the uses to which the device is found adapted.

To these ends my invention consists in the construction, combinationsand arrangements of devices and appliances hereinafter specified andclaimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure1 is aview in side elevation showing the supporting basin orV pan invertical section, together with a storage tank in vertical section. Fig.2 is a vertical cross section on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is adetail view in perspective and section illustrating the construction ofthe rocking valve. Fig. 4: is a detail view in section illustrating theconstruction of the air valve. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing thereceiving tank in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is a detail view inhorizontalsection on the line 6 6, Fig. 2. Fig. 7'is'a vertical sectionillustrating the construction of the regulator. Fig. 8 is a detail viewin vertical section illustrating the construction and arrangement of thewater discharge valve. Fig. 9 is a sectional View of a portion of theair discharge pipe showing the check valve therein.

The purpose of my invention is to simplify the construction andoperation of devices of this class, to reduce the number of partsrequired in their construction and operation and at the same time tosecure superior results. Accordingly I carry out my invention asfollows:

A denotes a receivingchamber arranged to receive water from a watersystem. The re ceiving chamber is pivotally mounted at one side of thecenter of gravity, and to this end my present invention contemplatessupporting said chamber upon a standard B provided at its base with ajournal B extending at right angles to the body of the standard, thejournal B' being bla-nk or solid. Opposite the journal B the standard isprovided with a tubular inlet arm or pipe B2, the body of the standard Bbeing formed with a vertical channel B3 communicating with the tubulararm B2 and also with the interior of the receiving chamber A. I preferto engage with the upper end of said standard a pipe B4 projectingupward a desired distance from the base of the receiving chamber andcommunieating therewith and with the channel` B3. The upper end of thestandard B may have a screw threaded engagement with the base of thereceiving chamber as shown at b. The pipe B4 may have a screw threadedengagement into the upper end ot the standard B, as'shown at b. The armB2 may be made in, tegral with the standard B or otherwise engagedtherewith.

I do not limit myself to any special manner of engaging the abovementioned parts one with another.

O is an air outlet pipe connected with the standard B and com-municatingalso with the interior of the receiving chamber, as through a channel b2in the standard B. A pipe O communicates at its lower end with thechannel b2 of the standard B, the pipe O extending above the waterreceived into the chamber A.

The pipe of arm B2 constitutes not only a water inlet pipe but also ajournal opposite the journal B' upon which the receiving chamber Arocks. the arms B and B2 being provided with suitable bearings.

Underneath the receiving chamber A I prefer to locate a receiving pan orbasin D provided with a bearing D' for the journal arm B. The tubulararm B2, as contemplated in my presentinvention, has its bearing in acase or housing E provided on the side adjacent to the standard B with asuitable stuffing box E', the arm B2 projecting into and communicablewith an interior chamber E2 formed by the housing or case E. Upon theouter end of the tubular arm B2, and within ICQ the chamber E2, I engagea valve E consisting essentially of a hollow casting constructed with anarm E engaging the extremity of the tubular arm B2, and with an upwardlyeX- tended curved or bent arm E2. The arm F has preferably an adjustableengagement upon the tubular arm B2 and is held in any required positionthereupon by means of a set screw f. The upper outer edge ofthe arm F2is arranged to seat against the inner adjacent face of the case E. Uponthe adjacent inner surface of the case E l prefer to engage suitablepacking, as a rubber packing for eX- ample, E3, against which the upperedge of the arm F2 may firmly seat.

XVater is admitted into the chamber E2 through an inlet pipe G. When thearm F2 is unseated, which is its normal position, it will be readilyperceived that the water entering the chamber E2 also enters the openarm F2 and passes thence through the tubular arm B2 into the receivingchamber A. The valve F is so adj usted and arranged upon the tubular armB2 that when the chamber A tilts, the edge of the valve F will seatagainst said packing on the inner surface of the case E and effectuallycnt off the admission of water through the valve F into the receivingchamber, while the valve is closed against its seat upontheadjacentinner wall of the charnber E. In adjusting the parts, theValve Fis so arranged as to have the desired throw when the arm B2 rocksand the set screw f is then tightened in place to hold the valve inproper position. The valve F is thus, it will be seen, automaticallyoperated by the rocking of the receiving chamber, while the constructionand operation is very simple requiring but few parts, the arrangementand construction being such that they are not likely to get out oforder. By this construction and arrangement the device is moreself-contained, the valve F seating within the case E dispensing with avariety of valves and levers heretofore commonly employed in devices ofthis class to accomplish similar results.

Into the inlet pipe G is interposed a regulater H to control thepressure of the Water supply. The pressure regulator herewith shown isessentially the same as that shown in a patent issued to me December 29,189i, No. 465,943. While I do not limit myself solely to a regulator ofany particular construction, that shown herewith is provided with a caseJ-having tubular armsj andj connected with the supply pipe G, the case Jforming an interior chamber J2 into which the supply pipe G admits thewater and from which chamber the water is discharged. The armj ispreferably located above the arm j and is provided with a valve seat j2at the point of the outlet orilicej3 through which the water passes fromthe arm j into the chamber J2.

J'3 is a valve located in a yoke J4 engaged atits upper end upon astem Kof a diaphragm K' located over the top of the chamber J2.

at its lower end in a socket j* on the arm j,

the socket forming a guide for said stem.

J5 is a plug engaged. in the base of the case J. This plug is preferablyprovided with a socketji to receive the lower end of a stemj upon'theyoke J4 andlserving as a guide for the stemjG. Thus the valve is guidedby the stems K and jG in the socket ,7'4 and j and is thus caused toseat accurately. As described in my said patent, the surface of thevalve J3 has a small area while the surface of the diaphragm K has arelatively large area.

J6 isa cap engaged upon the case J. Upon the upper end of the stem K islocated a spring k3, the tension of which lnay be regulated by a screw J7 having a threaded engage. ment in the cap J6. The diaphragm K mayconsist of any suitable material, as of a flexible piece of rubber forexample. The action of the pressure regulator will be understood. Thetension of the spring k2 is adjusted ac` cording to the air pressuredesired. Vhen the pressure in the chamber A is lower than the pressureof the spring, the spring will force the diaphragm downward carryingwith it the yoke J4 opening the valve J2, allowing the water to enterthe chamber J2 and pass from thence into the chamber A. When, however,the pressure in the chamber A is greater than that exerted by the springk2, the back pressure upon the diaphagm K will lift it, seating thevalve J3 and cutting off the admission of water into the chamber J2until the pressure in the chamber J2 is diminished` As the waterpressure in a water system is liable to be greater than the pressure ofair desired, a regulating device like that above described is founddesirable.

The chamber A is provided with a weighted arm A at one end and with adischarge passage A2 toward the opposite end. The discharge of waterentering into the chamber A is governed by a valve L of any suitabledescription, preferably provided with a stem L projecting beneath theoutlet passage. 1When the weight of water in the chamber A hasaccumulated sufficiently to tilt said chamber, the stem L will strikeupon the base of the pan therebeneath, if such a pan be used, andtherefore lift the valve L permitting the water to discharge from thechamber A. The air outlet pipe C is provided with an air valve C2 of anysuitable construction, that shown herewith, more particularly in Fig. 4,consisting of a casing C3 forming an interior chamberl C4 into which thepipe C enters. Into the base of the casing C2 is engaged a nipple C5constructed with a valve seat at its upper end, as shown at c and with achannel c.

C denotes a valve seating upon the seat c and constructed with a stem c2projecting through the passage c and arranged to strike on theunderlying pan or reservoir support when the chamberA is tilted, therebyunseat- IOO . valves C2 and L.

ing the valve CG and allowing the chamber A to vent itself through thepassage c. A spring c8 aids in restoring the valve C6 to its seat whenthe chamber A tilts back into normal position. The opposite end of thepipe C is arranged to carry the air compressed within the chamber Awherever desired. Into said pipe C, I introduce a check valve, shownmore par-y ticularly in Fig. 9 as at, M, arranged to prevent any backpressure through the pipe C. The outlet air pipe C is shown in Fig. lcommunicating witha storage reservoir or compressed air reservoir N, thepipe C entering said storage reservoir toward the top thereof.

I provide the tank N with a float valve N of ordinary construction,whereby, should any water enter the tank N the float will be lifted andopen the valve discharging the water from the-'storage tank, the pipe Calways communicatin g Withthe storage tank above any possibleaccumulation of water therein. With the air outlet pipe C may beconnected a flexible pipe Pinto which the valve M is interposed, thevalve M being located in a suitable housing M. The weighted arm A ispreferably provided With a depending standard A4 to limit the tilting ofthe chamber A when it returns to normal position. The pan or basin D, ifemployed, may discharge into a sewer or otherwise as may be required,but I do not limit myself to the employment of said pan or basin.

In the operation of the device, water will be admitted through the waterinlet pipe Ginto the chamber A. The weight A3 upon the arm A having beenadjusted as required, the water will continue to accumulate in thechamber A until the weight of Waterthereincounterbalances the weightedarm, when theend of the chamber A opposite said weighted arm will tiltdownward. The valve stem c2 of the air valve O2 is made to projectnormally below the stem L so that it will strike first when the chamberis tilted and thereby open in advance of the opening of the valve L, bythis means venting the chamberA above the water so as to relieve thepressure upon the valve L and allow air to escape and the water to bedischarged. When the water discharges, air will re-enter the chamber Aand will be compressed by the incoming water accumulating in thechamberA the force of compression driving the air through the pipe O,any back pressure being prevented by means of the check valve M. It willbe perceived that when the chamberA tilts, all pressure therein isrelieved by the air exhausting through the valve C2. The valve L is alsoopened and when the pressure has thus been relieved the air willre-enter the chamber A through the Itwill be obvious that Water enteringthe chamber A at the end toward the weighted arm will exert acounterbalance pressure against a like amount of water in the oppositeend of the chamber A, and that when the counterbalance is overcome bythe weight of water at the discharge end of the chamber A, the water inthe end toward the weighted arm will iow down toward the opposite end ofthe chamber A as said chamber is tilted, thereby aiding in tilting saidchamber.

It is obvious that the check valve M, when the chamber A tilts downwardto discharge its water, prevents the air passed to the storage tank, orotherwise, from escaping, while the pressure is relieved in the tiltingchamber.

The arrows in Fig. 9 indicate the normal direction for the passage ofthe air.

What I claim as my invention is l. In an automatic air pump or aircompressor, thecombination of a tilting chamber, a rocking standardsupporting said chamber provided with a hollow inlet arm, and a valvecase, said arm provided with a valve seating within said case when saidchamber tilts, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In an automatic air pump or air compressor, the combination ofatilting receiving chamber, a rocking standard supporting said chamberprovided with a hollow inlet arm, a valve casing receiving the end ofsaid inlet arm, a water inlet pipe leading into said valve casing, and avalve adjustably engaged upon said inlet arm within said valve casing,substantially as set forth.

3. In an automatic air pump or air compressor, the combination of areceiving chamber pivotally mounted at one side the center of gravityupon a hollow rocking arm communicating with said chamber and upon asolid rocking arm, a valve casing receiving one end of said hollow arm,a water inlet pipe communicating with said casing, a regulatorinterposed in said water inlet pipe, the end of said hollow arm withinsaid valve casingprovided with a valve to open and close thecommunication through said arm into said receiving chamber,substantially as set forth.

4. In an automatic air pump or air compressor, the combination of atilting receiving chamber, a rocking standard provided with a waterinlet arm communicating with said chamber and with an air outlet passagecommunicating with said chamber, a valve casing communicating with thewater inlet arm, a water inlet pipe communicating with said valvecasing, a valve within said casingto control the communication throughsaid casing into said receiving chamber, and a valve to control thecommunication through the air outlet passage, substantially as setforth.

5. In an automatic air pump or air compressor, the combination of acounterbalanced tilting receiving chamber, a standard B supporting saidchamber provided with a hollow rocking arm communicating with theinterior of said chamber and with an air outlet passage communicatingwith said chamber, an air outlet pipe C communicating with said outletpassage, a check valve M located in said air outlet pipe, an additionalvalve engaged with said air outlet pipe to vent said IOO IIO

chamber when it tilts, a water discharge valve engaged with said chamberto open when the chamber tilts, the valve to vent said chamber openingin advance of said discharge valve when the chamber tilts, a water inletpipe communicating with said chamber, and a valve controlling itscommunication with said chamber, substantially as set forth.

0. In an automatic air pump or air compressor, the combination of atilting receiving chamber, a rocking standard supporting said chamber atone side the center of gravity provided with a hollow water inlet armcommunieating with said chamber, a counterbalanced weight engaged withsaid chamber, a water inlet pipe communicating with the chamber throughsaid hollow arm, a valve to control said communication, an air outletpassage JOHN MOREHEAI). Witnesses:

N. S. WRIGHT, 0. B. BAENZIGER.

